Fire-cracker-choking machine.



v Patented Oct. 3, |4899. C. L. CURTIS. AFIRE CBACKER GHOKING MACHINE.

Applicmon med Feb. 7,'1898.)

[No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet E.. d Y.

Arrow/ver No. 634,20I. Patentedrloct. 3, i899.

C. L. CURTIS. FIRE GBACKEB CHKING MACHINE.

(Application led Feb. 7, 1898.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

II EW Wl Z'NESS TTHNEY No. 634,20I. Patented Oct. 3, |899.

C. L. CURTIS. FIRE CRA-CKER CHOKING MACHINE.

I'Application iled Feb. 7, 189B.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

, INI/EN To# Cima.: Lawa@ W/ r/vEss MJLLM@ No. 634,2ol. Patented oct. 3, |899.

c. L. climas. FIRE CRACKER CHOKING MACHINE.

Application filed Feb. 7, 1898.) v.

'(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

' 19a un@ xnm -24/0 f1 fron/ver CHQ,

No. 634,"20L Patentd Oct. 3, |899.

C. L. CURTIS.

FIRE CRAGKEB CHOKING MABHINE.

- 'Application med Feb. 7, 1898.) A im uam.) l 5slums-swtA 5,

Y to

UNTTnn STaTns PATENT Trice. l

CHARLES L. CURTIS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE NORDLINGER-CHARLTON FIRE'WORKS COMPANY, OF

SAME rLAcn.

Fm e- CRAC'KR-'C H'KING VACHlN E.

SPECIFCTIGN forming part of' Letters Patent No. 634,201, dated 03150109? .3, 1899 Application am February 7, 189s.' seal No. 669.370. en modem Be it 'known that I, CHARLES L. CURTIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of New York, (Brooklyn,) county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a newr and useful Fire-Cracker-Choking Machine, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine capable of securely closing or choking the ends of the bore in a lire-cracker, so as to retain a charge therein, and in this connection the machine is adapted to upset or compress the materialot" the nre-cracker that closely su rroundsthe bore, so as to cause such material to project' over the bore, thus form ing a closure for the latter.

The invention consists in a machine comprising a support for a fire-cracker, the stem or rod adapted to enter the bore of a lireeracker, and a plunger adapted to upset the material of the tire-cracker that surrounds 'the bore, whereby an opening will' beleft for the stern of the tire-cracker.

-The invention also consists in a machine comprising a support for a re-cracker, a head adapted to be pressed against the end of the lire-cracker and provided with prongs that are adapted to enter the material of the lfire-cracker to loosen the same around the bore thereof, and a plunger adapted to upset or compress such loosened material to choke the bore of the nre-cracker.

.The invention also consists in the novel details of improvement and the combinations of parts, that will be more fully explained hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

.Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part'hereof, wherein- Figure l is a side elevation, partly broken, of a machine for choking fire-cracker bores embodying my invention. Fig. l is a detail side view, enlarged, of the head and prongs that are adapted to act upon the end of the tirecracker. Fig. lb is a vertical section thereof. liig, lcis a horizontal section on the line a' ol' Fig. l"'. Fig. ld is anend view of the head shown in Fig. l, looking at the lower portion thereof. Fig. 2 is au enlarged vertical sectional view of the operative portions of the machine in theiijzneijgnal inoperative positions. Fig. 3 is a similarview showing the parts in the positions they assume when thehead is brought to rest upon the lrecracker. Fig. 4 is a similar View showing 4the positions of the parts when the operation of choking the bore inthe fire-cracker is completed. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail side elevation of the upper portion of the machine, showing it as arranged toehoke the end of the lire-cracker after it has received the charge and the stem; and Fig. G is a detail plan view of a support for the lire-cracker adapted to receive the stem While the opposite end is being chokcd.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar numerals Yoi reference indicate corre.-

-sponding parts in the several views, l indicates a standard or column having a base 2, all of which maybe of suitable construction. 3 is a bracket lor support carried by the standard l, and by preference it is made adjustable, forf which purpose it is provided with a removable clamp-piece 41, the parts 3 Il having Webs 3 4.- to receive bolts 5 lor clamping it securely upon the column or standard. G is a support for a tire-cracker, which is carried by the bracket 3 and is preferably made movable laterally, and for this purpose the support is shown located in a recess 7 in said bracket and mounted upon a pivot S, carried by the latter in such manner that the support (l can be swung outwardly, as indicated in dotted lines in Eig. 3, to enable a lire-cracker to be applied thereto. port G is shown provided with a bead-like portion 6 of sufficient area to properly receive a iireeracker of such diameter as the machine is adapted for. The support G is also provided with a guide or stem 9, thatis adapted to enter the bore in a lre-cracker l0. As shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4, the guide or stem 9 is quite long, so to project Well into the fire-oracker, and at its ouleror upper end the guide or stem 9 is shown provided with a recess 9@ to receive a plunger, as will be explained hereinafter. By preference the guide or stem 9 is detachably connected with support G, and for this purpose it is provided with screw-threads 9" to mesh with corresponding threads in support (j. (See Fig.

lVith the parts so far described when it is The sup-4 desired to adjust ahrc-cracker in the machine in position to be operated upon the support 6 is swung outwardly, the tire-cracker is passed over the guide or stem 9 to rest upon head 6, and the support is then swung back into operative position, as clearly shown in Fig. Above the supdort 6 are the devices for choking the ends of the bore in the firecraeker. These devices are arranged as follows:

Upon column o r standard 1 is secured a casting or head 11, `which is shown provided with a bracket-like-oft'set 12, that has a bearing or bore 12, alined with the guide or stem 9, and the head 1l also has a cavity orrccess 13 to receive levers 1t 15, which are shown mounted on spindles 1t 15, supported by the head 11. In the bearing 12 is mounted a slide 16, which is adapted to reciprocate therein, and at its lower end said slide carries a head 17, that is adapted to be pressed upon the fire-cracker 10, as shown in Fig. 3. VThe head 17 is shown as removably connected with slide 16, and for this purpose it is connected therewith by means of screw-threads 18. The. head 17 carries a series of prongs or fingers 1f), arranged in circular forni and in such manner as to encircle the bore in the tire-cracker. These prongs or lingers are shown in the form of wires passingr through a bore 17 in the head 17, and they are provided with outwardly-extending portions 20, that enter holes 2l, that extend transversely through the head 17 and register with the bore 17 in said head. By this means the prongs or fingers 19 are made interchangeable. 'The lower ends of said prongs or fingers 19 are shown beveled from their inner sides downwardly and outwardly at 1f)a in such manner that when they enter the material ofthe firecracker they will act to not only loosen the same, but to press said material inwardly or toward the bore therein. Thus when thc head 1 7 is broughtdown upon the llire-cracker the prongs 19 enter the material thereof, loosen the convolutions of the {irc-cracker body, and force the same inwardly and partially over thc bore of the lire-cracker. Within the bore 17 of head 17 is a plunger 22, that is adapted lo have movement independently of the movement of said head, and said plunger is located partially within a bore 16 in slide .16. The plunger 22 on its periphery is provided with a series et' longitudinal recesses 22, in which the prongs or fingers lil are located, whereby said plunger is kept from rotating, while permitted longitudinal movement independently ot' said prongs or lingers. '.lhcplunger 22 is adapted to engage the end ol the lire-cracher and to upset or compress the material thereof, so as to choke the end el' the bore in the lire-cracker, as clearly shown in Figs. :l and It. The plunger 22 isalso provided with a centrallongitudinal bore 23, adapted te receive a rod or stem 2t, that is adapted to enter the bere in the firecracker,and isalso adapted to enter the socket or recess il in guide or stem .l. ly preference the rod 24 is detachablyconnected with the plunger 22,A and the plunger 22 is preferably detachably connected with a rod 25, that is located within the bore 16 of slide 16, so that it may slide longitudinally therein. The plunger 22 is shown provided with screwthreads 22", that mesh with corresponding threads in the end of rod 25, and the rod 2t is shown provided with threads 24, that mesh with corresponding threads in the plunger 22. The rod 2t is shown as having an enlarged threaded portion at 24;, a reduced portion at 2th, and a still further reduced portion at 24C, that enters the hre-cracker bore. By this means the plunger 22 and the rod 2t are made interchangeable, and whereby also the prongs or fingers 10 are interchangeable, so the-parts may be changed when worn.

Any suitable means may be provided for reciprocating the slide 16 and the rod 25. IV

have shown the slide 16 as provided with recesses 16b to receive the bifureated end 11i:b of lever 1-1, the operative edges of which lever are preferably rounded to work properly against the material of the slide 16. The end l-.tC of lever 1li is adapted to be operated bya cam 26. The cam 26 is supported bya spindle 27, carried by a bracket 2S, extending from head 11. 'lhe cam 26 has a recess 26, adapted to receive the end oflever 14 or a roller 29, carried by said lever, whereby when said roller (or the end ot' the lever) is in said recess the lever 14 will be tilted, so as to elevate the slide 16 to its highest point. 'llle cai'n 26 has gear-teeth 30, that mesh with a toothed rack or slide 31, that is guided in a suitable ree'ess or slideway 32 in head 11. The ra'ck 3l is pivotally connected with a rod 33, that is pivoted to a treadle 34, pivotally supported at 35 by the standard or column 1 (see Fig. 1) in such manner that when the operator depresses said treadle the rod and rack 31 will be pushed up, and thereby rotate cam 26 in the direction ofthe arrow in Fig. 2. Vhen the cam is so rotated, it acts upon roller 29 to lift the outer end of lever 14 and depress the opposite end of said lever, thereby forcing down the head 17 ,upon the fire-cracker, as shown in llig. 3.

The rod 25 is rcciprocated independently of slide if) through the medium of lever 15 and rack Sil, and for this purpose said rod 25 is shown provided with a recess 25, ln which the end 15" of lever 15 projects, the edges of said lever being rounded and fitting snugly within said recess 25. The slide 16 has a longitudinal slot 16, through which the level` 15 projects, whereby the parts 15 and 16 may operate iut'lependently. The end 15c of lever 15 overlies the upper end ot' rack 31 in such position that as said rack is raised by treadle' 34 the end 15 ol lever 15 lwill be raised, and as the opposite end et' said lever descends rod 25 will be pushed downwardly to pass the rod 'or stem 2t hilo the bore of the {ire-cracker body and into tho recess il in guide il, while IIO at the same time plunger 22 is forced against the material of the fire-cracker that lies beneath it to Yupset or compress the same. Lever is acted upon by a spring 3G to hold the end 15c against rack 31, and to thus normally hold the rod 25, head 17, plunger 22, and rod 24 elevated in the normal positions shown in Fig. 2. The upper end of rod is shown provided with screw-threads 37, that receive a stop or nut 3S, that is adapted to be brought to bear against the extension or bracket 12 as rod 25 descends, and this nut may be adj usted lengthwise of nut 25 to determine the distance that the plunger 22 can be forced downwardly into the fire-cracker body.

The parts so far described are illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and as arranged they are adapted to choke that end of the firecracker from which the stem projects. After the end is choked, as shown in Fig. 4, the tire-cracker body is removed from the guide Band filled with a charge 10, and a stem 10b is inserted in the hole left iu the end of the nre-cracker by the rod 24, and then the fire-cracker is adjusted 'in another machine substantially similar to the one described, but with the following exceptions: The guide 9 is short, but of just sufficient length to enter the bore in the tire-cracker at the part outside of the upset end 10c, as shown in Fig. 5, and said guide 9 and the head 6a are provided with a slot or recess 6b to receive the stein 10b, and

by preferenceithis slot or recess extends from the center of the head 6 to the outer edge thereof, so that the stem may be passed in sidewise. (See Fig. 6.) 39 is a bracket secured to lead 11 and provided with a recess 39, that is preferably concave on its outer face to enable the side of the ii're-cracker 10 to rest against it, whereby it assists in retaining the fire-cracker in upright position upon the support 6. These brackets 39 may be detachably connected with the head 1l and the concave face at 39' of different brackets may be arranged to correspond to the periphery of various-sized re-crackers for the purpose of holding the dierent tire-crackers firmly in position.

While it is preferable to have one machine arranged as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 for the first `operation and another machine arranged as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 for theinal operation,

it is evident that the first-mentioned machine may be arranged so that the parts 9 and 39 may be detachably connected therewith to enable the operations to be performed on op-v posite ends of the lire-cracker; but by having one machine arranged to complete one end of the irecracker and another machine arranged for the opposite end thereof time can be saved in completing the fire-cracker.

The operation is as follows: When the parts are in their normal positions, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and it is desired to choke the -end of a tire-cracker, the support 6 and guide.

then passed over the guide 9, so as to rest upon the support 6 6". Said support is then moved back into its normal position, so as to bring the fire-cracker directly beneath the head 17, and thereupon' the treadle 34 is operated, whereupon rack 3l is raised, .which causes cam 2G to rotate and also lifts lever 15 direct. The rotationlof cam 2G first causes head 17 to descend upon the fire-cracker 10,

-whereupon the prongs or fingers 19 pass into the firecracker,loosen the con volutions thereof, and press such convolutions inwardly at the beveled lower ends of prongs or fingers 19, as shown in Fig. 3, the movement of head 17 through the medium or" cam 2G being faster than the, movement of rod 25 and plunger 22. A continued movement of rack 31 upwardly causes lever 15 to press rod 25 downwardly, whereupon rodv 24 enters the bore in the ire-cracker,'and as said rod projects beyond head 24 it enters said recracker almost simultaneously with the entrance of pron'gs 19 therein. A continued depression of rod 25 causes plunger 22 to act upon the material of the firccracker that surrounds the bore therein and which lies within the space bounded by prongs 19, whereupon such material is compressed in a solid mass,

so as to choke the bore in the fire-cracker excepting at the part where the rod 24 enters the same. The treadle is then released, and

rod 25, plunger 22, rod 24, head 17, and

prongs l 9 rise from the fire-cracker, thus leaving one end of the fire-cracker choked with a small aperture, alined with the bore of the fire-cracker, produced by the presence of rod 24 and adapted to receive the stem 10b. The fire-cracker is then removed from guide 9, the stem and charge are inserted, and the dre-cracker inverted from its previous position and placed upon the support 6 and guide 9, as shown in Fig. 5, directly beneath the head 17. The treadle 34lis thereupon again operated, which causes rack 31 to operate cam 26 and levers 14 15 in manner before explained to choke the upper end 10d' of the fire-cracker (shown in Fig. 5) in manner similar to that shown and described with relation to Fig. 4, vthe prongs 19`a nd plunger 22 acting to choke the end of the bore of the irecracker over the charge. It will be understood, however, in this connection that when this lastmentioued choking ofthe fire-cracker bore is effected the rod 24 is not present, so that there will be no hole left in the end of the lire-cracker, as described, where it is desired to leave a space for the stem 10b. When the second end of the fire-cracker is thus choked, it will be removed from the support 6 ready for useor packing, as may be desired.

I do notlimit my invention to the precise details of construction and arrangement shown and described, as they may be varied without y IOO ing a support for a lire-cracker body, a movable head having its operative end arranged on a plane perpendieular'to its axis to bear on the end of the body and having prongs wholly within the circumference of the head and projecting therefrom, said prongs having inwardly-beveled points,and means for forcing said prongs into the end of the said body, substantially as described.

2. Alire-cracker-chokingmachine comprising a support for a fire-cracker body, a movable .head having a plurality of separated prongs projecting therefrom, said prongs havmeans whereby the prongs are Iirst forced into the material of the body to upset it and the upset portion is next forced inwardly by means of the plunger, substantially as described.

3. A lirc-cracker-choking machine comprising a support for a fire-cracker, a plunger opposite said support adapted to enter the firecraclcer to upset the material thereof, means to form a bore for a stem in the upset portion of said body, and means for operatingsaid plunger, substantially as described.

Il. Atire-cracker-chokingmachinecomprising a support for a lire-cracker, a head adaptc'd to bear upon the tire-cracker, a plunger movable independently of said head and adapted to upset the material of the lireeracker, and means `for operating said head and plunger, substantially as described.

5. Atire-cracher-ehokingmachine comprising a support for a fire-cracker, a plunger adapted to upset the material of the lirecracker, a rod adapted to enter the bore el' the fire-cracker to providean opening therein for a stem, and means for operating said plunger and rod, substantially as described.

G. Afire-eraeker-chokiugmachinecomprising a support for a fire-cracker, ahead adapted to bear upon the fire-cracker, a plunger adapted to upset the material ot' the lirecracker, a rod adapted to enter the bore of the fire-cracker, and means for operating said head, plunger, and rod, substantially as described. A

7. A re-craelt'er-choking machine comprising a support for a lire-cracker, a guide connected with said support to retain the liroeracker in operative position, a plunger adapted to upset the material el the lirecraclier, means to for'm a bore for astem in the upset portion of 'said body, and means for operating said plunger, substantially as described.

8. A fire-cracker-choking machine comprising a support for a tire cracker, a guide adapted to retain said lire-cracker in operative position, a head adapted to bear upon the lire-cracker, and a plunger movable independently of said head and adapted to upset the material of the ire-cuacker, substantially as described.

t). A 1irc-eracker-choking machine comprising a support for a lire-cracker, a guido oonlng inwardly-beveled points, a plunger, and

nected with said support adapted to entier the bore of the lire-cracker, a head adapted to bear upon the lire-cracker, a plunger adaptedI to upset the material of the fire-cracker, a rod adapted to enter the bore ol:` the fire-cracker,

and means l'or operating said plunger and i prising a support for a fire-cracker, a guideY connected with said support adapted to enti the bore of the fire-cracker and having a tecess at its outer end, a plunger adapted to` upset the material of the fire-cracker, a rod adapted to enter the bore of the fire-cracker and the recess in said guide, and means for operating'said plungerand rod, substantially as described.

ll. A fire-eraeker-ehoking machine comprising a support for a fire-cracker, a guide connected with said support adapted to enter a hre-cracker bore and havinga recess at its outer end, a head adapted to bear upon the lire-cracker, a plunger adapted to upset the material of the fire-cracker, a rod adapted to enter the bore of the tire-cracker and the recess in said guide, and means for operating said plunger and rod, substantially as described.

l2. A lre-eracker-choking machine 'comprising a support for a fire-cracker, a head adapted to bear upon the nre-cracker, ngers or. prongs carried by said head adapted to enter the material ot the lire-cracker to loosen it, and a plunger adapted to enter and upset the m.tterialol" the lire-cracker, substantially as described.

12S. A 1ire-cracker-choking machine comprising a support for a lire-cracker, a head adapted to bear upon the lire-cracker, fingers or prongs carried by said head and arranged in a circle and adapted to enterv the material of the lire-cracker to loosen it, a plunger 1ocated within the circle of the prongs or ngers, and means for operating said head and plunger independently, substantially as described. y

14. A lire-craeker-ehoking machine comprising a support for a lire-cracker, a head adapted to hear upon the tire-cracker, fingers or prongs carried by said head adapted to enter the material of the lrecraeker to loosen IOO it, said lingers or prongs having their lower I ends beveled downwardly and outwardly, a

plunger adapted te upset the material ofthe" .16. A tire-craeker-choking machine comprlsing a support for a dre-cracker, a head adapted to bear upon the fire-cracker, said head having a bore, prongs or fingers carried by said head adapted to enter a fire-cracker, a'plunger located in the bore of said head,

and means for operating said plunger inde pendently ot the head, substantially as described.

A ire-eracker-choking machine comprising a support for a tire-cracker body, a rod on the-support to enter the body, a head carrying 4 prongs or fingers having inwardly beveled points, and means for moving said prongs into the material ofthe body to move the latter toward the top of said rod, substantially as described.

1S. Are-eraeker-ehoking machine coinprising a support for afire-cracke a guide eonneete d with said support adapted to retain the tire-cracker in operative position, a head adapted to bear upon the fire-cracker, said head having a bore, a plunger adapted to travel in said bore, a rod extending' from said plunger adapted to enter the bore in the fire-cracker, and means for operating said plunger androdindependently of the head, substantially as described.

1Q. A lire-cracker-choking machine comprising a support fcr a dre-cracker, a guide, connected with said support adapted to enter' the bere of the re-cracker, said guide having a recess at its outer end, a head adapted to bear upon the tire-cracker, said head having a bore, a plunger adapted to travel in said bore, a rod extending from said plunger to enter the recess in the guide, and means for operating said plungerand rod independently of the head, substantially as described.

2O` MA, re-cracker-choking machine comprising asupport for a fire-cracker, a head adapted to bear upon a lire-cracker, said head having a bore and apertures extending cross- Wise of said head and openinginto said bore, l

prongs orfingers having bent portions located in said apertures and alsolocated in said bore, a plunger located in said bore and adapted to travel therein, and means for operating said plunger independcntlyot the head, substantially as described.

21. A iire-cracker-choking machine coinprising a support for a lire-cracker, a head -adapted to bear upon the lire-cracker, said head having a bore and apertures extending erosswise' of said head and opening into said bere, prongs or fingeis having bent portions located in said apertures and also located in said bore, a plunger located in said bore, a rod extending from said plunger, and means for operating said plunger and rod independently of the head, substantiallyas described. 22. A ii1ecracker-choking machine c 0n1- prising a support for a lire-cracker, a head .adapted to bear upon the lire-cracker, sa'id head having a bore, prongs r lingers located in said bore, a plunger also located in said bore and vhaving longitudinal grooves 'to receive said prongs or fingers, and means for operating said plunger independently of the head, substantially as described.

23. A fire-cracker-choking machine comprising a support for a lire-cracker, a head adapted to bear upon the fire-cracker, said head having a bore, prongs or fingers located in said bore, a plunger also located in said bore and having longitudinal grooves to receive said prongs or fingers, a rod extending from said plunger andadapted to enter the bere of theirs-cracker, andnneans for operating said plunger and rod independently of the head, substantially as described. i

2st. A iire-cracker-choking machine comprising a support for a tire-cracker, a head adapted to bear upon the fire-cracker, said head having a bore, a plunger located in said bore, said plunger having a bore, a rod located in the last-mentioned bore and detachably connected with said plunger, and means for operating said plunger independently et the head@ substantially as described.

25. Ina fire-cracker-choking machine the combination of a standard, a support tor a fire-cracker movably connected therewith, a head located above said support and adapted to bear upon the {ire-cracker, a plunger movable independently of said head and adapted to upset the material ot the tire-cracker, and means for operating said head and plunger independently, substantially as described.

26. In a iire-eracker-clioking machine the combination of a standard', a bracket adjustably carried thereby, a support movably connected with said bracket and adapted to support a lire-cracker, a head adapted to bear upon the lire-cracker, a plunger adapted to upset the material of the tire-cracker, and means for operating said head and plunger, substantially as described.

27; In a tire-crackerchoking machine the combination of a standarda bracket adjustably carried thereby, a support for a lirecracker pivotally carried by said bracket, a head adapted tobcar upon the fire-cracker, a plunger adapted to upset the material of the lire-cracker, and means for operating said head and plunger, substantially as described.

2S. In a lire-cracker-choking machine the combination of a-standard', a bracket carried thereby and having a recess or socket, a support pivotally carried by said bracket and located in said recess or socket and adapted to support a lire-cracker, a head adapted to bear upon the tire-cracker, a plunger adapted to upset the material of the lire-cracker, and means for operating said head and plunger, substantially as described.

2f). v[u a lrelcrackei-choking machine the condiinationot a standard, a support for a lire-cracker, a head upon said standard, a slide carried by said head,ahead i7 connected with said slide and adapted te bear upon the li re-cracker,a p1 unger movable iiidependtmtly ICQ IIO

' by said head and having a bore, a head 17 carried by said slide, a rod within the bore of said slide, a plunger carried by said rod, and means for operating said slide and rod indelpendently, substantially as described.

31. In a ilre-cracker-choking machine the combination of a standard, a support for a fire-cracker carriedl thereby, a head carried by said standard, said head having a bearing 12, a slide located in said bearing and having a bore, ahead 17 carried by said slide and provided with prongs or fingers, a rod within the bore of said slide, a plunger connected with said rod and means for operating said slide and rod independently, substantially as described.

' 32. In a iire-cracker-choking machine the combination of a standard, a support for a irebracker carried thereby, a head carried by said standard, said head having a bearing 12, a slide located in said bearing and having a bore, a head 17 carried by vsaid slide and provided with prongs or fingers, a rod within the bore of said slide, a plunger connected with said rod', means for operating said slide and rod independently, and an adj ustable stop carried by said rod adapted to limit the movement of said rod in the operative direction, substantially as described.

33. In a trecrackerchoking machine the combination of a standard, a support for a fire-cracker carried thereby, ahead carried by said standard, said head having a bearing 12a, a slide located in said bearing and having a bore, a head 17 carried by said slide and provided With prongs or fingers, a rod Within the bore of said slide, a plunger connected with said rod, means for operating` said slide and rod independently, said rod having threads 37, and a nut engaging said threads to regulate the movement of said rod in the operative direction, substantially as described.

34. In a fire-cracker-choking machine the combination of a standard, a support for a tire-cracker carried thereby, a head carried by said standard, said head having a bearing, a slide Within said bearing, a pressing or holding head carried by said slide, a plunger, a lever adapted to operate said slide, means for operating said lever, and means for operating said plunger, substantially as described.

In a tire-cracker-choking machine the combination of a standard, a support for a tire-cracker, a head carried by said standard and having a bearing, a slide located in said bearing, a head 17 carried by said slide, a plunger, a lever adapted to operate said slide, a cam adapted to operate said lever, means for operating said cam, and means for operating said plunger, substantially a's described.

3G. In a fire-cracker-choking machine the combination of a standard, a support for a fire-cracker, a head .carried by said standard' and having a bearing, a slide Within said bearing, a head 17 carried by said slide, a plunger, a lever adapted to operate said slide, a cam having a recess to receive said lever, said cam having teeth, a rack adapted to engage said teeth, meansfor operating said rack, and means for operating said plunger, substantially as described.

37. In a ire-cracker-choking machine the combination of a standard, a support for a reTcracker carried thereby, a head 'carried by said standard and having a bearing, Aa slide Within said bearing andprovided with a bore, a head 17 carried by said slide, means tooperate said slide, a rod within thebore of said slide, a plunger connected with said rod, a lever to operate said rod, means for-operating said'lever, and means for operating the slide substantially as described.

38. In a ire-cracker-ehoking machine the combination of a standard, a support for a fire-cracker, ahead upon said standard and having a bearing, a slide within said bearingA provided with a bore, a head carried by said slide, means for operating said slide, a lrod within the bore of said slide, a plunger. carried by said rod, a lever to operate said rod, a treadle and connections to operate said lever, and a spring to act with said lever, substantially as described. 39. In a ire-cracker-choking machinecthe combination'ot' a standah'd,a Sipport f ora" tire-cracker carried thereby, a head upon said standard and having a bearing, a slide located in said bearing and having a bore, a head carried by said slide, a rod Within said bore, a

plunger connected with said rod, a lever toA operate said slide, a lever to operate said rod, a cam to operate the dist-mentioned lever, and means for simultaneously operating said cam and the second-mentioned lever, substantially as described. p v

40. In a ire-cracker-choking. machine the combination of a standard, a support for a fire-cracker carried thereby, a head upon said standard and having a bearing, a slide Within said bearing and having a bore, a head carried by said slide, a rod Within said bore, a

plunger carried by said rod, a lever to operate said lhead, a cam to operate said lever, said cam having teeth, a rack to operate said cam, a lever tooperate said rod, said rack 'be-- IIO in gadapted to eperate'the .last-nsieutiened-le,n

ver,l and means for'operating said rack, substantially as described. l

41. In a ire-cracker-choking machine the -combination of a standard, a support, for a .dre-cracker carried thereby, a head upon said standard and having a bearing, a slide provided with a bore and with a longitudinal slot leading to said bore, a head carried by said slide, a rod Within said bore,'a plunger car ried by' said rod, a lever for operating said slide, a lever for operating the rod and located in the slot of said slide, and means for operating said levers simultaneously, substantially as described.

42, In a fire-cracker-choking machine the combination of a standard, a support for a -ire-cracker carried thereby, a head upon said standard and having a bearing, a slide within said head, a head 17 detachably connected with said slide, said slide having a bore, said Y Ymeans-for-operating saidslideand said rod.

head having a bore, a rod within the bore of said slide, a plunger carried by said rod and located Within v'the bore of said head, and

independently and simultaneously, substantially as described. 43. A're-cracker-choking machine comprising a support for a fire-cracker having'a `guide and an opening to'receive-a stem, a

bracket to support the fire-cracker, ahead -to bear upon the lire-cracker, a plunger to npsetthe material of the fire-cracker and means for operating said head and plunger, substanf tially as described.

44. A fire-cracker-choking machine compricing a support for 'a dre-cracker having a guide and a slot or recess in said guide and support to receive a stem, a bracket to sustain la fire-cracker, a head to bear upon the fire-cracker, a plunger t'o upset the material Witnesses:

JOSEPH L. LEVY, HERBERT F. DURBUn.A 

